LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Madam Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.
Please be seated. Good afternoon, everybody.
Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Minto (Mr. Swan), that Bill 234, The Mining Tax Amendment Act, be now read a first time.
Motion presented.
Mr. Lindsey: Recently, there's been various interpretations of The Mining Tax Amendment Act in regards to the community reserve fund. Bill 234, The Mining Tax Amendment Act, helps clarify the existing legislation that states there is no minimum amount that must be in the reserve fund before it can be used to assist adverse-affected mining communities.
Thank you.
Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
Committee reports?
Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): It's my pleasure to rise today in the Assembly to table the response to written question 14 from the member of Assiniboia.
Madam Speaker: And, in accordance with section 42 of The Ombudsman Act and subsection 58(1) of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and subsection 37(1) of the personal health act and subsection 26(1) of The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act, I am pleased to table the Annual Report of the Manitoba Ombudsman for the year ended December 31st, 2018.
Ministerial statements?
Mr. Andrew Micklefield (Rossmere): I rise today to honour 18-year-old Rossmere resident Brooke Goulet, who has just returned from the Youth Bowl Canadian nationals senior girls five-pin bowling championships in Oshawa, Ontario, where she tied for gold and brought home a silver medal.
As part of team Manitoba, Brooke played 29 games in three days of bowling excitement, competing against high-level bowlers from every province twice each before clinching gold for Manitoba.
When asked about her bowling journey, Brooke recalls the support of numerous friends and coaches, but notes with particular gratitude her grandmother, who first introduced her to bowling at Rossmere Lanes, as well as her parents, Garry and Debbie Goulet, who continued to support her bowling ambitions, which earlier this month brought Brooke to the national stage.
At just 18 years old, Brooke also plays on the Manitoba Women's Junior Hockey League, where her team, the Polar Ice, finished first in the MWJHL last season. She is also enrolled at the University of Manitoba, where she aspires to study kinesiology. Beyond athletic and academic pursuits, Brooke works and volunteers in several Rossmere seniors' homes.
Madam Speaker, I invite members of this Chamber to join me in congratulating Brooke Goulet for the exemplary way she serves our community, the way she represents our province and for bringing home the gold at the Youth Bowl Canadian nationals earlier this month.
Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): As the Premier (Mr. Pallister) moves towards breaking Manitoba's fixed-date-election law, let's review what he's done these last three years: cut $120 million from the health-care budget this year–the largest in Manitoba history; cut 1,200 civil service positions; cut 900 jobs from Manitoba Hydro; froze public sector wages; closed the Misericordia ER; closing Seven Oaks and Concordia ERs; cut $1 million in funding to the ACCESS program; removed the cap on university tuition increases while cutting the tuition rebate tax; cut restorative justice dollars; raised the minimum wage by a mere 35 cents; cut the midwifery program at the U of M; cut the Neighbourhoods Alive! program; refused to provide the abortion pill free of charge; spent $23 million on high-priced consultants; allowed the daycare waiting list to grow to over 16,000 children; made racist comments that all young indigenous men are criminals; attacked the MMF; reduced dollars for upgrades to the Centennial Concert Hall; changed election laws to slant the next provincial election–
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Madam Speaker: Order.
Ms. Fontaine: –in his favour; cut the highway budget by $238 million; privatized air ambulance services with his sights now on Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries; cut 50 per cent of transit funding; voted against mandatory training for judges on sexual assent and consent; cut $25 from social service; cut Rent Assist; cut $200,000 from the get started program; cut inclusion supports for children with special needs; and has done absolutely nothing for the meth crisis. All this while sitting on the beach of Costa Rica.
Vote out this Premier, Manitobans, if you–
Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired.
Mr. Brad Michaleski (Dauphin): Nestled between the Riding and Duck mountains, the constituency of Dauphin has many summer attractions to keep visitors busy while they take in the natural beauty and warm hospitality.
The region is a diverse agriculture zone with good soils for a wide variety of crops and an abundance of grass and grazing lands for livestock. While there's livestock across the constituency, the community of Ste. Rose du Lac was declared cattle capital of Manitoba in 1979, and continues to serve a region ideally suited for cattle ranching and produces some of the most sustainably produced protein Manitoba has to offer.
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Tourism and outdoor activities are also a big part of the Parkland attraction. Gilbert Plains has one of the toughest, most beautiful golf courses in all of Manitoba. There's many lakes for fishing and camping, and there are numerous heritage sites and museums across the region.
The Watson Crossley Community Museum is a must-see attraction in Grandview, and it's also the home of the Burrows Mill provincial heritage site.
Near Roblin, the Keystone Pioneers Museum features an intact Ukrainian house with a thatched roof built in 1911 and designated as a national heritage site in 1975.
Fort Dauphin Museum was–has displays of the fur trade, the history of Dauphin and features the Parkland Archaeological Laboratory, which displays and provides information on more than 1,000 archaeological sites in the region.
Madam Speaker, there's lots to see and experience in the Dauphin constituency during the summer and I invite everyone to come in and see what's really going on up there.
Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): I rise today to recognize the tireless work of the Save the Concordia ER citizens group, a coalition of community members who have come from all walks of life to represent and speak out for the best interests of their community.
Since quickly coming together after the announcement of the ER closure in April 2017, this small grassroots group has been at the forefront of the effort to give the community a voice of–on the negative impact that closing the ER will have on northeast Winnipeg.
By speaking with their neighbours, friends, the community at large, they were able to collect thousands of signatures for petitions, co-ordinate lawn signs, organize rallies, and run a successful postcard and social media campaign that kept the pressure up.
The group started by collecting petitions that called for the government to immediately rethink the ill-conceived plan. After 6,000 signatures were collected in just a few weeks and they failed to stop the cuts, the group turned to a direct mail campaign focused on their local MLAs. If the Premier (Mr. Pallister) wouldn't listen, maybe the local MLAs would.
As the postcards and emails kept piling up, the local MLAs finally agreed to meet with the group in person. But even after hearing from them directly, the MLAs remained silent and refused to stand up for their communities.
The Health Minister recently announced the Concordia ER will become an urgent-care clinic. While an urgent-care clinic isn't what community wanted, it is a step in the direction of saving the Concordia ER, but they understand that the health-care system is still in jeopardy.
Concordia has already been operating with a staggering number of staff vacancies, and because the transition is to happen in a matter of weeks, front-line workers are struggling to accommodate this eleventh-hour change. Further concerning them is that the Health Minister has said that the latest plan will be reviewed in six months' time.
So, whether the group has the next 18 months or just a few weeks left to make this government change its mind, they will continue to fight. They know that our health-care system is damaged, but their work is showing the government that the health of our community is our top priority.
I ask all members of this House–
Madam Speaker: The member–honourable member's time has expired.
Mr. Andrew Smith (Southdale): I do rise today to recognize members of Team Manitoba in my community who proudly represented our province in multiple sports at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta.
From February 15th to March 3rd of this year, Team Manitoba won 25 medals, which included 9 gold, 7 silver and 9 bronze, an accomplishment for which we are all very proud. This level of achievement can only be earned with many hours of discipline, dedicated practice and hard work.
It's been said that it takes a community to raise a child, but it also takes a community to raise an athlete, which makes coaching, support staff and family all that much more crucial.
Anyone who's been a competitive athlete knows of the high level of discipline and hard work that is essential in order to attain such achievements. I feel most rewarded as an MLA in honouring these young athletes, as it is a privilege to see Manitoba's future in action and to give them such due recognition. I wish all members of the Team Manitoba the best success in all of their future endeavours.
Their achievements are applauded by our government, as we are committed to leading the way to personal success and growth for all young Manitobans. Our youth are integral to the growth and vibrancy of all regions of this province as they represent our future.
Next year, Madam Speaker, Manitoba will celebrate its 150th anniversary as a province, and at such a time I could not be more proud to have such exceptionally talented young individuals at the forefront of sport in my community.
Madam Speaker, I ask the House to please welcome the 2019 Canada Winter Games Team Manitoba members and their families from the Southdale area.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Southdale?
Mr. Smith: Madam Speaker, I’d like to request permission to add the names of the athletes into Hansard.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave to include the names in Hansard? [Agreed]
Team Manitoba members: Michael Akbashev, Alexisse Berard, Sarah Dennehy, Yohnatan Elizarov, Kelsey Gillan, Tayem Gislason, Hudson Thornton, Alana Lesperance, Evan Merino, Ian Mitchell, Mackenzie Neumann, Kyi Nichols, Kaylee Spearing.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia?
Mr. Wiebe: My apologies, Madam Speaker, I'd just like to ask leave to include the names of the Save the Concordia ER committee members who have joined us here in the gallery today.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave to include those names in Hansard as well? [Agreed]
Save the Concordia ER committee: Earl Gibbs, Courtney Tosh, Linda Watson, Claudette Wills.
Introduction of Guests
Madam Speaker: Prior to oral questions, we have some guests in the gallery that I would like to introduce to you.
We have seated in the public gallery from Sargent Park School 50 grade 3 and 9 students who have been learning about government together under the direction of Caroline Boyd and Sandra Magalhaes, and this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Minto (Mr. Swan).
On behalf of all members here, we welcome you to the Manitoba Legislature.
Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Madam Speaker, it's clear that the Premier had no idea what he was doing when he started to cut our health-care system and to close emergency rooms. Well, actually, perhaps he had one idea, which was to cut costs. Certainly, he did not keep in mind protecting the health care that Manitobans right across the province rely on.
We know what the impact of this decision to close ERs and urgent cares has been. WRHA tells us that wait times are up in emergency rooms month over month, year over year. CIHI tells us that the surgery wait times are up, and nurses tell us, of course, that mandatory overtime is increasing and is at record levels.
To date, the Premier's plan for health care has been an abysmal failure. It's leading to worse health outcomes for Manitobans.
Will he please announce a change, again, in this policy, but this time give the people what they want and keep the emergency rooms at Concordia and Seven Oaks hospitals open?
Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, it's not easy work, but it's work this government's willing to do to repair a health-care system that was seriously damaged under the previous government's administration, Madam Speaker. Leading the country in waits in emergency rooms is not a demonstration of success, and, of course, we came in committed to doing our very, very best, to do the hard work and the heavy lifting of cleaning up a mess that the previous government had left us. We continue in that pursuit, Madam Speaker, and despite the member's false preamble, we are making headway.
Other jurisdictions have had governments in the past who cleaned up this mess; now Manitoba has one that's ready to clean up the mess the NDP left us.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Kinew: Well, the Premier cannot deny the facts put forward by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority or by CIHI or by the nurses in Manitoba. He simply accepts the truth of them and yet tries to change the channel.
We know why he wants to change his failing health plan–over and above the fact that it's the wrong choice for people in Manitoba that's making health care worse–it's because he knows that he has a political problem, and in his rush to get to the election this summer to break our fixed‑election‑date law, he now understands that he needs to change course. The one thing missing from all of that, of course, is the best interests of the people of Manitoba.
We know he looks after his own best interests, but what about the health care of people right across the province of Manitoba?
Will he 'prease' bring forward a new plan that includes a plan to keep the emergency rooms at Seven Oaks and Concordia hospitals open?
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Mr. Pallister: Well, I appreciate the member's reference to self-interest. I believe that was clearly demonstrated in the–his candidacy in the last election when certain facts were not brought to light in a timely manner in respect of his own behaviour. [interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Pallister: That being said, in terms of pursuing the best interests of Manitobans, it could hardly be said that the NDP government, which dragged our wait times to be the worst in Canada, was looking after anybody's best interests.
Madam Speaker, they commissioned a study by Dr. David Peachey which they did not act on because they lacked the courage to do so. That study's recommendations were that we would shorten wait times as other jurisdictions across the country have done by consolidating resources for emergency care in fewer facilities.
Other centres across the country have wait times like Calgary's that are about half ours with fewer emergency rooms, but you can get the care you need in a timely manner in those facilities.
Madam Speaker, their plan was presented to them; they didn't act on it. They broke the system; we're fixing it up.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary.
Mr. Kinew: You know, the Premier can continue to attack me and I'll continue to stand up for health care for people right across Manitoba.
Now, part of the commitment that our team has to stand up for health care in this province includes a commitment for us to listen to what the people in this province want, and what they clearly want–patients, families, seniors, nurses, physicians–what they all want is for the emergency rooms at Concordia and Seven Oaks to stay open.
Contrast that with this Premier who wants to listen to the consultants. We say that's the wrong approach. A made-in-Manitoba solution for health care is a novel concept that we'd like to propose.
Why doesn't the Premier get on board, starting with a commitment to keep the emergency rooms at Concordia and Seven Oaks hospitals open?
Madam Speaker: I would just like to take a moment to remind guests in the gallery that there is to be no applause and no involvement in the debate that's on the floor. So one of the rules of being here as our guests is to have no applause from gallery members, and I would appreciate that those rules be followed, please.
Mr. Pallister: I'm sorry the member feels it's a personal attack to expect him to disclose facts about his record, Madam Speaker, but I don't think that people should enter into elections with the expectation that they could hide their record.
The member for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine) just misrepresented mine at length and the member saw no problem with that.
So, Madam Speaker, I simply would ask–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Pallister: –him–I would simply ask him to refer to the facts, and the facts are these: this government is investing this year alone more than $400 million more in health care than the NDP ever did. The Canadian–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Pallister: –institute of health information says one province has shortened emergency wait times and that province is Manitoba; that is the fact the member likes to ignore.
What we inherited from the NDP, Madam Speaker, were the fastest rising–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Pallister: –wait times in Canada, the fastest rising taxes in Canada, the fastest rising provincial debt in Canada.
They made a mess of it. We have the courage to do the things that are necessary to try to fix that mess. They never had that courage.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.
Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Here's one fact, Madam Speaker: the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority says that emergency room wait times are up. Here's another fact: the Premier is cherry-picking statistics that are out of date by more than a year. Here's a third fact: right now in our urgent cares and emergency rooms nearly one in five positions for nurses and health-care aides are vacant.
I'll table the documents to show the Premier the impact that his cuts are having and the explanation for why the wait times are increasing. But, again, the fact remains that in urgent care and emergency rooms across the city, when it comes to nurses, when it comes to health-care aides, one in five positions are vacant, and that's a big increase from December 2017. This is a disconcerting fact, but, again, begins to shed some light into what is going on here.
Will the Premier please stop the cuts, start to hire nurses and recommit to keeping the emergency rooms at Seven Oaks and Concordia hospitals open?
Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): The member cites increases month over month, Madam Speaker, in wait times in the flu season. They happen every single year. He's desperate to make a point but he's not able to make it using honest statistics.
He also ignores the fact that the waits at–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Pallister: –Concordia were the longest in Canada under the NDP at over seven and a half hours on average; that's not an emergency care, that's a waiting room.
Madam Speaker, he also ignores the fact that record numbers of people were walking out without even getting the care they wanted. He ignores that too.
Madam Speaker, it's not an easy thing to fix or the NDP would have fixed it. They broke it–they broke it. The longest waits in Canada, and the member stands up today and argues we should go back to the longest waits in Canada, and we're not going back.
We're going to go through this challenge together, as Manitobans face their challenges. We're going to be shortening wait times. We're going to be improving the access to care. Better care sooner is what Manitobans deserve, not no care at all. That's what they got under the NDP.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Madam Speaker: Order. Order.
We have a lot of guests in the gallery and I think they're here to learn. I understand that there's grade 3s with grade 9s and they're here to learn about our democratic system, and I think in order for them to do that, they need to be able to hear what's going on on the floor and to also see a respectful work environment that's in action.
The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Kinew: So the Premier mentions getting through a challenge in health care together, but he fails to mention that he is the cause of the challenge in health care.
Again, in emergency rooms, in urgent-care centres in Winnipeg when it comes to–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Kinew: –nurses. Again, nurses, health-care aides, vacancy rates in ERs, in acute-care centres, urgent-care centres: 20 per cent, Madam Speaker. When it comes to surgical centres, we know that vacancies there are up 13 per cent from 2017 to 2019 as well.
So when we see that surgical wait times have increased, as have emergency room wait times, both month over month and year over year, and we see that their aggressive job-cutting tactics are to blame, we are forced to conclude that this health-care system, which is rushed and misguided, is failing the people of Manitoba.
Will the Premier reverse course, hire more nurses, more aides and keep the ERs open?
Mr. Pallister: Why didn't the NDP address the problem? That's a good question. Why did they stand back and do nothing while our wait times were the worst in Canada, while people across the province were complaining–and quite rightly so–that nothing was being done? The NDP knew what had to be done and did nothing, Madam Speaker.
Was it because the work was too hard? Was it because it was too challenging for them, or was it because they couldn't think of anything but their political interests? Madam Speaker, it was certainly one or more of those things because they did nothing and the problem was getting worse.
Now, Madam Speaker, when it comes time to do the heavy lifting, they're nowhere to be seen. They say go back to the old NDP days when the waits were the longest in Canada.
We're not going back. We're listening to the experts, some of which they hired and refused to listen to, because we need to find better solutions to get care to Manitobans when they need it.
What they broke, Madam Speaker, we are committed to doing our very best to fix.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary.
Mr. Kinew: If this is his best, it's not good enough, Madam Speaker. It's clear that the Premier does not know what he's doing when it comes to health care. He cannot account for why there are so many vacant positions in surgery centres, in urgent-care centres, in emergency rooms, and that's just when it comes to the nurses and the health-care aides.
We also attempted to find out the vacancy rates when it comes to the other people working in hospitals, like, say, lab technicians or doctors, and it turns out this government has no idea. I'll quote from the FIPPA document that I just tabled here. When we asked about those other job positions, they said, and I quote: The reporting of other positions apart from nurses and aides within the facility cannot be reported on with accuracy at this time.
How can this government not know how many doctors, technicians and other health-care professionals are working in their hospitals and yet claim to know that they should close emergency rooms? [interjection]
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Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Pallister: Manitobans are known across the country, and I think probably internationally, as people who will stand up and face a challenge. They will not turn away from it, as the member is suggesting we should do now. They do not retreat. They do not surrender. They stand up for each other. They do what's right.
Madam Speaker, we have the longest wait times in–[interjection]–Canada. Something needed to be done. Nothing was done. Now–[interjection]–and now, because we don't believe that's what Manitobans deserve or want, we're doing our very best to try to make sure that we make the changes necessary to get better care to Manitobans sooner.
Madam Speaker, the NDP knew the problem. They did nothing. They wouldn't even try.
This is a government that will do its best. We will heal the system that they allowed to become sick, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): For many young adults, entering the post-secondary education is supposed to be an exciting time, a new chapter in their lives, a chance to achieve a career they've always wanted. But, sadly, this minister's cuts continue to make this more of a dream than a reality.
For the second year in a row, because of this government's cuts, the University of Manitoba has raised their tuition far above the rate of inflation over the last year and a half. In fact, it's above 3.75 per cent: $400 more is coming out of the pockets of young students who are trying to live, work and pay for a better future in this province.
Will the minister reverse course and promise to keep post-secondary education affordable in Manitoba?
Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Education and Training): Not only promise to keep it affordable, Madam Speaker, but our government put it in legislation. We have it in legislation that Manitoba will be on average the lowest tuition costs out of any province in western Canada. So we put that in law.
Of course, we went further than that. We have more than $20 million that are available in bursaries and scholarships–more than ever existed under the NDP.
I was hoping the member opposite was going to get up and apologize. A couple weeks ago he stood in this House and said that tuition was going to up 6 and a half per cent. I thought he was going to apologize for once again fear mongering, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Wiebe: The reality is, Madam Speaker, that tuition has gone up over 10 per cent in the last two years in this province because of this minister. Under this government post-secondary education continues to be further out of reach for many young adults and the funding of programs that support recent U of M–the recent U of M budget should not fall on the backs of hard-working university students.
This government is leaving universities no choice by forcing them to increase tuition just to keep their lights on and fund necessary programming.
Will the minister increase funding for post-secondary institutions?
Mr. Goertzen: I don't think that the member's doing it deliberately, but it does seem that everything he says is untrue.
When you look at international students as an example, this is the same member who stood in this House and said that international students would be fleeing the province, Madam Speaker, and yet we have a record number of international students who came to Manitoba.
We have, in legislation, already said that we're going to have the lowest, on average, tuition out of any province in western Canada. That's in legislation. That's true today and it'll be true for many, many years.
Of course, the member opposite stood in this House and told students–he gave them their solemn word–their tuition was going to go up 6 and a half per cent this year. Now he admits that he's wrong. I wonder if he'd want to admit that to the students and apologize.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a final supplementary.
Mr. Wiebe: Well, Madam Speaker, the minister should apologize for the tuition that has risen in this province while at the same time cutting supports for the students with the biggest challenges.
Madam Speaker, the Premier's (Mr. Pallister) cuts to the ACCESS programs and the bursary which we heard about last week means that there's less access for the most vulnerable students, and just in a few years other scholarships won't be able to keep up with this government's rising tuition.
The minister has taken an axe to Manitoba's post-secondary institutions so that young adults can't even access them as they did in the past.
Will the minister simply commit to keeping post-secondary education affordable by increasing their funding?
Mr. Goertzen: It seems for this critic that up is the new down, Madam Speaker. I mean, we have increased the number–the amount of scholarships and bursaries that are available by more than $20 million. Far more–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Goertzen: –than ever existed under the NDP. The funding for the access program became part of the Manitoba bursaries and scholarships program so there is more funding available for those who need it than there's ever been before, and then we put in legislation that we would have tuition–on average, it was lower than any other province in Canada. Lower tuition, affordable tuition, comparable tuition and ensuring that we have scholarships and bursaries, that's the Manitoba way.
His way is giving false information and fear mongering
Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): Last year the Premier doctored the VIRGO report because of his ideological opposition to safe consumption sites.
Now he's removed specific recommendations from Tracia's Trust: Manitoba's Sexual Exploitation Strategy, simply because he does not want to be accountable to vulnerable and exploited children. The report is now comprised of general, vague statements with literally no specific recommendations or attached outcomes with corresponding timelines. This is a new low for the Premier.
Will the Premier change course and commit to a real public plan with specific actions to address child sexual exploitation in Manitoba?
Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Families): Well, and I thank the member for the question. It allows me to put some facts on the record, and the fact is that every recommendation from that external advisory group of the Tracia's Trust report is reflected in the final report.
Madam Speaker, our government is committed to ensuring that youth have better access to services that prevent and combat sexual exploitation. That's why our government is–committed more than $14 million annually towards–for initiatives under the Tracia's Trust strategy.
We will continue to work with community stakeholders. We will continue to work with indigenous women and elders, Madam Speaker, toward the eradication of sexual exploitation for our youth. Our youth matter, we care deeply. We–
Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired.
The honourable member for St. Johns, on a supplementary question.
Ms. Fontaine: Here are the facts. The original report called for expanding StreetReach; instead, the Premier put the program under review. The original report called for reducing case loads for social workers; instead, the Premier froze funding to child welfare authorities, meaning larger case loads. The original report card for–called for government to devise a long-term plan to address the use of hotels and taxis in the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children; instead, the Premier completely ignored that recommendation. This report is an absolute whitewash and a new low for the Premier.
Why does the Premier hate Manitoba exploited children?
Mrs. Stefanson: Well, speaking of new lows, that's certainly a new low for this member. Madam Speaker, this coming from a member who was an adviser to Cabinet that did nothing to eradicate the exploitation of youth. They had 17 years; they did nothing.
I will take no lessons from this member opposite.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a final supplementary.
Ms. Fontaine: Page 11 of this report says in big bold letters, and I quote, be bold enough to speak the truth, end quote. Over the last several years, that's what over 50 organizations and hundreds of people have done. They get–they gave their best to inform a plan of action to address the growth of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking in Manitoba, and it's been all watered down. It's a whitewash and it is simply unacceptable. It's cold, disgusting and disrespectful to Manitoba children.
Will the Premier apologize to Manitoba's sexually exploited children and to the experts who informed the construction and establishment of said report?
* (14:10)
Mrs. Stefanson: The only person in this Chamber that should be apologizing, Madam Speaker, is the member opposite, who had–who was an adviser to Cabinet and did nothing for 17 years. Shame on her.
Madam Speaker, the sexual exploitation of our youth–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mrs. Stefanson: –is absolutely deplorable and we need to find better solutions–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mrs. Stefanson: –for eradicating this horrific behaviour and protecting our children.
That is why we are working with–regularly consulting with community stakeholders, with indigenous women and elders on this important issue. This is a priority for our government.
But, Madam Speaker, what's the most important–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mrs. Stefanson: –thing is to ensure the well-being of our children in our province, and we will never lose sight of that goal.
Mr. Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): The Premier has spent the last three years blaming the NDP several times a day, every day, for problems in Manitoba's health-care system. At the same time, he and successive Health ministers decided to embrace and defend plans developed under the NDP to close ERs, rural ambulance stations, and that have led the health system into a valley of despair.
One of the consequences of this plan is that patients who could be treated in a single location may now have to ride by ambulance from one site to another. This interfacility transfer by ambulance is supposed to be covered by the Province at no cost to the patient, as this press release from April 3rd, 2018, shows. We've heard from patients that they are being billed for this service.
Has this policy changed? Has this government hiked interfacility ambulance transfer fees?
An Honourable Member: Are you trying to table it?
Mr. Lamont: I am trying to table it, yes.
Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Madam Speaker, under the–one of the challenges that we inherited was the fact that many of the so-called emergency rooms' waits were excessive, as I highlighted earlier.
A second challenge many Manitoban families had to face was the fact that because there wasn't a concentration of equipment or testing diagnostic capability or experts in some of the facilities, family members were finally admitted–who were finally admitted to a facility then had to be subsequently transferred out of it and moved to another facility after.
One of the consequences of the changes we've already implemented is that thousands of Manitobans will not have to undergo that difficult and painful transfer, nor will their family members be put in that situation.
And, Madam Speaker, that is one of the consequences. I appreciate the member highlighting the issue of secondary transfers because those numbers have come down significantly and helped thousands of Manitoba families avoid that pain.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Second Opposition, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Lamont: I table an invoice from the City of Winnipeg to a patient who was transferred last year from the birthing centre in St. Boniface to the St. Boniface Hospital. The bill is for $340.
When we look at the government's budget, there is no change in revenues or expenditures for emergency services, which one might expect if this government were going to reduce fees.
And there's been an ongoing dispute between the Province and the City of Winnipeg about this very issue. In December 2017, the City fire and paramedic chief said the provincial funding cuts left Winnipeg with a shortfall of millions and the City said they wanted to get out of the ambulance service entirely.
Is this Premier making up for lost ambulance revenue by double- and triple-charging Manitobans for ambulance fees for interfacility transfers instead?
Mr. Pallister: No, of course not, Madam Speaker, of course not. But what we did inherit were some of the highest ambulance fees, if not the highest ambulance fees in the country, when we came into government.
And that was causing problems for many Manitoba families who were reluctant to even call the ambulance when they needed care and were in severe pain or symptoms appeared that should have allowed them to make their way to an emergency room to be diagnosed. They chose not to. They chose to transport themselves. They chose to have a family member transport them. They chose to walk, Madam Speaker.
So this is why we have reduced the ambulance fees by 50 per cent.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Second Opposition, on a final supplementary.
Mr. Lamont: The boasting this government is doing about saving money on health care is like someone boasting about how much money they saved because they're eating for free on someone else's tab.
This government is blundering ahead with an NDP plan to close ERs over the objections of nurses, doctors, health-care workers, patients and their own wait-times task force. The dispute over funding with the City of Winnipeg–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Lamont: –is because the WRHA froze ambulance funding at 2016 levels. That is exactly what this government has done on health care across the board: frozen spending at 2016 levels.
Will the Premier just admit that his ambulance fee promise was a sham, since he is raising fees on interfacility transfers for Manitobans by $250?
Mr. Pallister: Well, speaking of eating on someone else's tab, the member's position is that the NDP didn't get us into enough debt and that the biggest problem they had in government was that they didn't borrow more. That's his advocacy.
Speaking of eating on someone else's tab, he also advocates that we should raise taxes in addition to running larger debts and deficits, which would be stealing from our own children and from our grandchildren, as well, in some cases.
So, Madam Speaker, the member has some expertise in advocating for eating on someone else's tab. He also represents a political philosophy which says that the federal government should be supported in reducing health-care support for the Province of Manitoba, which it is doing.
So we'll stand up for Manitobans. He can continue to stand up for who knows what, Madam Speaker.
Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): Well, today I'll table some documents that show that this government has cut $140 million in capital health-care spending this past year–$104 million.
Madam Speaker, let's see what this could have built: could have built a new primary-care clinic in The Pas; could have built a primary clinic for the multitude of clinics that this government has closed here in Manitoba; a new personal-care home to, apparently, house our dramatically increasing senior population in north Winnipeg.
Look at all these projects, Madam Speaker, that this government could have built, but, instead, what did they do? Cut, cut, cut.
Why did the government cut $104 million in health-care services that Manitobans rely on?
Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, let's talk about some facts, Madam Speaker.
We know, in spite of the pressures, that we've increased health investments this year more than $400 million, in this year's budget alone, over what the NDP ever invested. And that is in spite of this, Madam Speaker. The previous government doubled the provincial debt in just the last six or seven years they were in. The debt-service charges on that interest–which every Manitoban can understand that has borrowed money or is currently borrowing money–those debt-service charges are over $1 billion this year.
So while the member is choosing to spend a bunch of money, she might want to consider how much we could do with that billion dollars if we didn't have to service all that NDP excess spending. [interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
The honourable member for Point Douglas, on a supplementary question.
Mrs. Smith: Well, Madam Speaker, no one can believe anything that this Premier says.
This was money that he budgeted, $104 million that he cut in capital investments. Manitobans are concerned that this government continues to put profits over people and over patients in this province–documents that I table that prove that he cut that money. With $104-million capital cut from the Premier and his ministers, they don't seem to care about. But Manitobans do.
Why does this government care so little about Manitoba's health care?
Mr. Pallister: Well, Madam Speaker, there's the fundamental confusion that the member and her colleagues face. They seem to think that if you throw money at a problem it'll go away. They seem to think if you borrow enough money on the credit cards of your kids that all the problems will be solved, and that's how they ran the government we inherited. And because they believe that caring is spending they refused to accept the reality that it really doesn't.
The fact of the matter is that they doubled the provincial debt. [interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Pallister: The fact of the matter is they increased spending, but they didn't get better results. The fact of the matter is they left us with the largest wait times–longest wait times in Canada, some of the fastest growing taxes and the fastest growing debt of any Canadian province, and now they propose to go back and do it again.
If that's the best they've got to offer, there's no solution in that, Madam Speaker. They broke the system that we're attempting to heal.
* (14:20)
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Point Douglas, on a final supplementary.
Mrs. Smith: Well, Madam Speaker, nobody believes anything that comes out of this Premier's mouth on health care.
This is a budget that he voted on, $104 million that he decided to underspend in this budget. He voted on it. How can Manitobans trust a Premier that says this is what we're going to spend, but then underspends it and takes $104 million less to Manitobans? He could have built those clinics. He could have put it into health care. Does he? No. He puts money over people–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mrs. Smith: –time after time. This Premier can–does not have a leg to stand on when it comes to health care because all he does is cut, cut, cut.
Why did this government cut $140 million in capital health-care spending?
Mr. Pallister: Well, it's right in the Public Accounts, Madam Speaker. The member doesn't have to take my word for it. She can read it right in there. It's a fact that the debt-service costs that we inherited from the NDP are over $1 billion this year. That's a fact. It's a fact that the health investments we're making, in spite of that, are up $400 million over the last NDP budget. That's a fact too.
It's also a fact that the NDP might want to run on trust, and that I would welcome that and I know my colleagues would. It's also a fact that the NDP promised–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Pallister: –no tax hikes, looked people right in the eye and said we won't raise your taxes. [interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Pallister: And, Madam Speaker, it's a fact that they raised them. It's a fact–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order, please. Order.
I would ask the table to stop the clock, please, and I'd call the member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe) to order.
I am hearing increasing heckling as we're moving through. There is yelling going on beyond the heckling across at members and I really don't think that this is the most respectful thing that we can be showing to these students that are here today.
So there are a number of people that are yelling and I am going to be watching that very carefully through the rest of the oral questions because this is getting a little bit out of hand.
The honourable First Minister, to complete his comments.
Mr. Pallister: Thanks, Madam Speaker.
The NDP record of trust isn't–just isn't that good. They promised that the bipole line, for example, which is well over $1 billion wasted, wouldn't cost Manitobans a penny. They promised that they'd end hallway medicine and they created highway medicine–the longest wait times in Canada.
So if they want to run on trust, Madam Speaker, I'd just encourage them to do that very thing.
Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): Manitoba's provincial parks, such as Asessippi Provincial Park in my constituency of Riding Mountain, are very popular travel destinations for both local residents and for visitors. Manitoba is home to a variety of rich natural landscapes, and provincial parks are a great showcase for all of the natural beauty that surrounds us.
Unlike the NDP who often left these parks in a state of disrepair, our government is investing in Manitoba's provincial parks to enhance them for generations to come.
Can the Minister of Sustainable Development please tell the House about how our government is supporting our provincial parks?
Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Sustainable Development): I'd like to thank my colleague for that wonderful question.
Our government is proud to be investing more than $10 million this year alone in the assets within our provincial parks. We want to enhance tourist experience and help people connect with nature.
Just last week we were out in Grand Beach making an announcement for fully accessible washrooms for Manitobans. We have been making investments in Asessippi, Turtle Mountain, the Whiteshell and many provincial parks throughout the province so that we can enhance people's connection with nature and tourism in our parks.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, in the gallery today, along with many supporters, is Niki Dumas. She has had difficulty since birth with the digestion of foods and abdominal pain. Finally, about three years ago she was diagnosed as having intestinal malrotation, a condition in which the intestine is rotated within the abdomen in the opposite direction from normal. She needs a surgical procedure to connect the malrotation, a procedure which is only available in Cleveland, Ohio.
Will the Minister of Health provide the support for Niki Dumas to get the surgery she needs?
Hon. Rochelle Squires (Acting Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living): While our government certainly does sympathize with the health challenges that Ms. Dumas speaks, I am very cognizant of privacy and so I do not want to be talking about very specifics in a public manner.
But I can assure the member and assure the Legislature that health officials have reached out to obtain the necessary information regarding Ms. Dumas's situation and will be following the process diligently.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Gerrard: Because of her condition, Niki Dumas has spent much of the last three years in hospital in Brandon or in the Health Sciences Centre. For the last three years she's been on tube feeding because she can't take food by mouth.
Helping Niki Dumas to receive the surgery she needs will save a lot of pain and discomfort and may save her life. It will also save a lot of health-care dollars because the hospital care and tube feeding are expensive.
I ask again: Will the Minister of Health agree that Niki should have the operation she needs and that it should be supported by Manitoba Health?
Ms. Squires: Once again, I can assure the member that once the required information has been received by the department they can put the necessary processes into place to consider her request.
But if this member would like to be a full partner in health care and providing health care for his constituent in the gallery and all Manitobans, I suggest he pick up the phone and call his federal cousins to restore the funding arrangement that they once had when they were a 25 per cent funding partner in health care. That's down to 18 per cent. I'd suggest that he talk to his federal counterparts about that.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights, on a final supplementary.
Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, along her journey with her condition, Niki Dumas found out about the operation in Cleveland which has the potential to dramatically improve her life. She mentioned this to the family of another Manitoban with intestinal malrotation. He was able to be supported by Manitoba Health to go to Cleveland to get the operation. He has now received the operation and is doing well. Niki would like to be treated equally with him and to be supported to go to Cleveland, Ohio, to get the operation she needs. In the last five days she has come from Carberry to get help.
Will the minister meet with Niki Dumas and her family right after question period?
Ms. Squires: Our government is always willing to meet with Manitobans and talk to Manitobans about their specific health challenges.
Our government is very committed to building a better health care system. That is why we invested $414 million more this year than the NDP ever did. That is why we hired sixty–78, pardon me, new doctors this year, which is the second highest number of doctors recruited in the province of Manitoba in a decade.
We're bringing in more doctors than the NDP ever did. Wait times are decreasing more than ever before. We are getting better health care sooner, and our government is committed to continuing to work on behalf of all Manitobans to build a better health-care system.
Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired.
Point of Order
Madam Speaker: And I believe the member for Assiniboia wants to rise on a point of order.
Hon. Steven Fletcher (Assiniboia): Madam Speaker, on a point of order.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Assiniboia, on a point of order.
Mr. Fletcher: During question period the word hate was used. Now, that is a word that has a lot of connotations. But when it's applied to the leader of the province, that he somehow hates children, vulnerable children, it's not appropriate.
Everyone here is doing the best that they can.
Now, the Premier (Mr. Pallister) may hate me, that's fine, and he may–and the member who asked the question may hate me, that's fine. But it's not fine attributing that motive to public policy on anyone in this Chamber. Everyone here, I believe, wants to do the best that they can with what we have.
So that's my point of order.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Government House Leader, on the same point of order?
Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): On the same point of order, Madam Speaker.
I would say, first of all, members on this side, and I suspect all members, have respect for each other, and I have respect for the member for Assiniboia as do members on this side of the House. We know that he's accomplished much in his life.
However, to the specific point of order that he raised, I would agree with him that the comments that were made during question period by the member for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine) were unbecoming of any member of this House.
* (14:30)
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on the same point of order.
Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): Just to put a couple of words on the record.
So, first off, let me begin by acknowledging the member for Assiniboia. In no way, shape or form do I hate the member for Assiniboia (Mr. Fletcher). So, I'm not sure why the member would say that, but just to clarify.
And let me just say, Madam Speaker, that there are children that are–children: 10, 11, 12 years old–who are being sexually exploited as we speak, who are in the depths of addictions with nowhere to go, that are wandering the streets alone and scared and vulnerable, and we–
Madam Speaker: I would encourage the member to speak to the point of order.
Ms. Fontaine: I'm getting to it, Madam Speaker. I'm getting to it. It's important to put on–
Madam Speaker: Order. Order.
When we are speaking to points of order there is no opportunity for further debate. It is to recognize a point of order that has been raised and then have the discussion about whether it is an accurate point of order. It is not meant to put further comments on the record in debate of that issue. So I would ask the member for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine) to address that specific point of order.
Ms. Fontaine: So to address the point of order, again, I think it is particularly egregious that those recommendations were taken out of that report. However, I will say that the word hate was too strong, and I apologize for using unparliamentary language in the House today.
Madam Speaker: And we thank the member for making that comment and that should take care of that matter.
Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The petition–or the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) All Manitobans deserve the opportunity to pursue a university or college degree.
(2) The ACCESS program was introduced by the provincial government in the 1970s. It provided access–it provided grants to Manitobans who were historically under-represented in professions such as teaching and social work.
(3) Under the ACCESS program, northern, indigenous and low-income students were prioritized with significant and targeted assistance of up to 60 per cent of the student's needs, including living expenses, to counter the effects of historic and systemic barriers to education.
(4) In 2018, the provincial government cancelled the ACCESS Bursary Program as it existed and the ACCESS students will now have to rely on much–will have to rely much more heavily on student loans.
(5) This situation presents a barrier for many under-represented students who may choose not to pursue an education due to debt concerns. The change is especially unfair to students who are already in the midst of completing multi-year degrees and did their financial planning anticipating a long-term commitment from the program.
(6) The provincial government has already made it harder for all Manitoba students to afford post-secondary education. It cut the tax rebate–or tuition tax rebate, cut funding to post-secondary institutions and lifted the cap on tuition fee increases, leading to the highest tuition fee increase in the country.
(7) The provincial government's cuts are making school a debt sentence and placing more barriers to education in the way of disadvantaged Manitobans.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to immediately restore the ACCESS Bursary Program to ensure targeted funding for northern, indigenous and low-income students to help reduce barriers to access and ensure all Manitobans have equal opportunity to pursue post-secondary education.
And this is signed by Larissa Coob, Kyle Ettawacappo, Jessie Wood and many other Manitobans.
Madam Speaker: In accordance with our rule 133(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House.
Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
And the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) The loss of sleep associated with the beginning of daylight saving time has serious consequences for physical and mental health and has been linked to the increases in traffic accidents and workplace injuries.
(2) According to Manitoba Public Insurance news release, collision data collected in 2014 showed that there was a 20 per cent increase in collisions on Monday–on Manitoba roadways following the spring daylight saving time change when compared to all other Mondays in 2014.
(3) Daylight saving time is associated with a decrease in productivity the day after the clocks are turned forward with no corresponding increase in productivity when the clocks are turned back.
(4) There is no conclusive evidence that daylight saving time is effective in reducing energy consumption.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to offend–to amend The Official Time Act to abolish daylight saving time in Manitoba effective November 4, 2019, resulting in Manitoba remaining on Central Standard Time throughout the year and in perpetuity.
And this petition has been signed by Dave Wall, Ken Penner, Pete [phonetic] Peters and many, many more fine Manitobans.
Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Burrows): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Early learning and child-care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.
(2) Licensed, not-for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.
(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.
(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.
(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately 'renunerated'.
(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child-care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not-for-profit child‑care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce.
This petition is signed by many Manitobans.
Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Early learning and child-care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.
(2) Licensed, not-for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.
* (14:40)
(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.
(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.
(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately renumerated.
(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child-care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not-for-profit child-care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce.
This petition, Madam Speaker, has been signed by Crystal Nicole Allen, Jane Hudee, Alison [phonetic] Cullen, and many other Manitobans.
Ms. Flor Marcelino (Logan): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The background to this petition are–is as follows:
(1) Early learning and child-care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.
(2) Licensed, not-for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.
(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.
(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.
(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated.
(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child-care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not-for-profit child-care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce.
Signed by many Manitobans.
Mr. James Allum (Fort Garry-Riverview): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
And the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Early learning and child-care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.
(2) Licensed, not-for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.
(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.
(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.
(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated.
(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child-care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not-for-profit child‑care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce.
And, Madam Speaker, this petition is signed by Arlene Pierre, Carly Bouvette, Sarah Hiltz and many other Manitobans.
Mr. Rob Altemeyer (Wolseley): I'd like to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
The petition–the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Early learning and child-care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.
(2) Licensed, not-for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.
(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.
(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.
(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated; and
(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child-care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not-for-profit child‑care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce.
And this petition is signed by Mateo Tuhtar, Kara Gillespie, Chantal Brown and many, many other fine Manitobans.
Mr. Ted Marcelino (Tyndall Park): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
And the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Early learning and child-care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.
(2) Licensed, not-for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.
(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.
(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.
* (14:50)
The workforce shortage–(5)–sorry. The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated.
(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child-care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not-for-profit child‑care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce.
This petition was signed by Clinton Rogal, Ron–Rhonda–Ronald Dunstet [phonetic] and Douglas Flint and many, many more.
Thank you.
Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Early learning and child-care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.
(2) Licensed, not-for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.
(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.
(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.
(5) The workforce shortage of early–workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately 'remenumerated'.
(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child-care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not-'por'-profit child‑care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve the quality and stability in the workforce.
Signed by many Manitobans.
Mr. Andrew Swan (Minto): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
The background to the petition is as follows:
(1) Early learning and child-care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.
(2) Licensed, not-for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.
(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.
(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.
(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated.
(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child-care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not-for-profit child‑care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce.
And, Madam Speaker, this petition is signed by Peter Bjornson, Kimberly Panaligan and Haneah Olfman and many other Manitobans. Thank you.
Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
And this is the background to this petition:
(1) The provincial government's program of cuts and restructuring in health care have had serious negative consequences, reduced both access to and quality of care for patients, increased wait times, exasperated the nursing shortage and significantly increased workload and the reliance on overtime from nurses and other health professionals.
(2) Further cuts and consolidation are opposed by the majority of Manitobans and will only further reduce access to health-care services.
(3) The provincial government has rushed through these changes and failed to adequately consult nurses and health-care professionals who provide front-line patient care.
(4) Ongoing cuts and changes appear to be more about saving money than improving health care.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the provincial government to reverse cuts and closures that negatively impact patients' ability to access timely, quality health care.
(2) To urge the provincial government to make real investments in Manitoba's public health-care system that will improve the timeliness and quality of care for patients by increasing the number of beds across the system and recruiting and retaining an adequate number of nurses and other health professionals to meet Manitoba's needs.
And this petition is signed by many Manitobans.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Early learning and child-care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.
(2) Licensed, not-for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.
(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.
(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if it cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.
(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated.
(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child-care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not-for-profit child‑care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce.
Signed by Jo-anne Soder, Allan Soder, Michelle Moorhead and many, many other Manitobans.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns?
* (15:00)
Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): I rise on a matter of privilege.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a matter of privilege.
Ms. Fontaine: It is a long-standing tradition of this House that the government call Estimates for consideration by the members of the Chamber. Consideration of the budget measures a government wishes to pass through this Legislature is one of if not the most important duties a member of this Assembly has.
It is the job of every one of its members in the House to carefully consider a budget government–a budget a government wishes to pass. While I admit that this is not the first opportunity to rise on this issue–I have had other opportunities prior to this–I do think, given the short number of sitting days remaining, it is one that must be given its proper due.
The rules of the House are clear. There are hundreds–or 100 hours allotted to the consideration of departmental Estimates in our rules. The reason our rules provide such extraordinary time to consider these matters is because of their importance. Members of this Assembly need sufficient time and information to properly examine the billions of dollars this government proposes to spend. And yet the government is determined to flout the rules of this House and ignore our long-standing traditions.
It is clear the prospect of an early election is upon us, and if the Premier (Mr. Pallister) violates the fixed-date-election law, then the House will dissolve and we will not be able to consider the Estimates for the various departments of this government.
The evidence of this tactic to hide the departmental Estimates of the government from scrutiny by members of this Chamber and members of the public is clear. It has been nearly three months since the presentation of the budget but only two of the departmental Estimates books have been tabled in this House.
The delay is tactical and political but, most importantly, it is disrespectful. It disregards the role of legislatures and of committees of this House. It disrespects our long-standing traditions. It shows utter contempt the Premier has for the importance of democratic debate, accountability and oversight members of this House ought to provide.
This government's violation of our rules is clear and flagrant and it demands censure on the part of the House.
As a result, I move, seconded by the member from Concordia, the House censure the government for its flouting of the long-standing practices and traditions of this House by its refusal to call Estimates portion of supply prior to its intention to break the fixed-election-date law and that this matter be immediately referred to the Rules Committee of this House for consideration.
Madam Speaker: Before recognizing any other members to speak, I would remind the House that remarks at this time by honourable members are limited to strictly relevant comments about whether the alleged matter of privilege has been raised at the earliest opportunity and whether a prima facie case has been established.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (Second Opposition House Leader): Madam Speaker, I have been in this Chamber a number of years, and every year that I have been in this Chamber, we have proceeded quickly with Estimates. Estimates are an essential part of the budget and completing the budgetary process.
The–I don't remember ever in this Chamber that the Estimates have been dragged out in this circumstance. And so, clearly, there is a breach of normal procedure that the government, instead of enabling, instead of having the Estimates and bringing the Estimates in, the government has brought in all sorts of other matters, last-minute bills and so on. And, clearly, we have many, many questions which we have been waiting to ask of expenditures in different departments of government.
And to delay, to break the normal procedures in this Legislature, clearly the government is restricting the ability of MLAs to do their job and to hold the government to account, to do their job and to scrutinize the expenditures of the government in a careful fashion. We have, to facilitate this process, reduced the number of hours from 250 to 100, but these should never be reduced from 100 down to seven, I think, is where we are at the moment. This is just not acceptable procedure.
And so I am very supportive of the matter of privilege that is being brought forward by the MLA for St. Johns. It is very disrespectful for the government to have not brought in Estimates, and I hope you will provide a clear ruling on this matter.
Thank you.
Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): A matter of privilege, as you I'm sure will note, is a serious issue, and there are two things that have to be determined–have to be proven. One is that is it was brought at the earliest opportunity. Clearly, that is not the case, Madam Speaker.
In fact, the member for Minto (Mr. Swan) raised a question about this issue, which was in–[interjection]–even the member for Minto acknowledges from his seat he has been raising it for a very long time. So I appreciate his support in showing that this hasn't been raised at the earliest opportunity by the opposition House leader, because it's been raised as an issue–invalid as it might be–many weeks ago by the member for Minto. And so the opposition House leader has failed in her first obligation to ensure that it was raised at the earliest opportunity.
Secondly, whether or not it is a prima facie case, in terms of a breach of our rules or practice–and I know I heard the members opposite, including the member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard), struggle with the terminology, because at first they seemed to indicate that it might be a breach of the rules, then it was a breach of a practice, then maybe it was a convention.
And the reason they're struggling is because it's not a breach of any of those things. They couldn't cite a rule because none exists in terms of when government calls business; not in this form, anyway. It's not a convention, nor has it always been a practice, in fact.
I 'vemember' many times in the House where government has interrupted the Estimates order for a variety of different things–some quite legitimate, and some maybe not as much–when the NDP were in government, but they can certainly look back and see that. But I know not–they don't all have the same history that, perhaps, the member for River Heights does, and I do in this House. But they could find many different–or, many different instances where that was the case. But more specifically, Madam Speaker, government not only has the right to determine what business is going to be called, it should be called in a way that business is then moved along.
And we've seen now for several weeks where the opposition–the combined opposition, including some independents–have been delaying debate on legislation, don't want to pass bills–some very simple bills like the minor corrections and amendments act.
They don't want to pass anything, and then they wonder why they can't get to Estimates. Well, they can't get to Estimates because they won't do another critical function of the Legislature, which is to actually pass legislation. Now, they don't have to vote for the legislation, but to at least allow it to come to a vote, Madam Speaker, is certainly an obligation that they have. And they want to delay, delay, delay.
But I'll speak to the point, Madam Speaker, just to wrap up my comments. Even on the day–now, they demanded to have Estimates called. This has been the–this is the nature of the government–or opposition House leader's point–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Goertzen: –is that Estimates should be called, and on the day that Estimates was called, Madam Speaker, what did the opposition do? They delayed. They again delayed to get to Estimates. They read copious amounts of petitions as slow as they possibly could. They tried to delay the reading of everything. They didn't even–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Goertzen: –want to get to Estimates even when it was called.
So this isn't about whether they want to get to Estimates or whether they want to get to bills or whether they want to do opposition. I'll put on the record they actually delayed their own opposition day motion, Madam Speaker.
Now, I remember Steve Ashton, who they removed from the caucus, once said from his seat that it's all tactics and no strategy. Well, if there was ever a demonstration of all tactics and no strategy, it's delaying your own opposition day motion, Madam Speaker.
But what is clear is that the–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Goertzen: –opposition just wants to delay everything, whether it's Estimates, legislation or their own opposition day motion. So they are the makers of their own problems, Madam Speaker.
There is clearly no matter of privilege.
Madam Speaker: On the matter of privilege raised by the honourable member for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine), I would like to inform the House that a matter concerning the methods by which the House proceeds in the conduct of business is a matter of order, not privilege.
* (15:10)
Joseph Maingot, in the second edition of Parliamentary Privilege in Canada, states on page 14 that allegations of breach of privilege by a member in the House that amount to complaints about procedures and practices in the House are by their very nature matters of order.
He also states, on page 223 of the same edition, a breach of the standing orders or a failure to follow an establish practice would invoke a point of order rather than a question of privilege.
On this basis, I would therefore rule that the honourable member does not have a prima facie matter of privilege.
Ms. Fontaine: Respectfully, I challenge the ruling of the Chair.
Madam Speaker: The ruling of the Chair has been challenged.
The question before the House is shall the ruling of the Chair be sustained.
Voice Vote
Madam Speaker: All those in favour, please say yea.
Some Honourable Members: Yea.
Madam Speaker: All those opposed, please say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Madam Speaker: In my opinion, the Yeas have it.
Recorded Vote
Ms. Fontaine: A recorded vote, please.
Madam Speaker: A recorded vote having been called, call in the members.
* (16:10)
Order.
The one hour provided for the ringing of the division bells has expired. I am therefore directing that the division bells be turned off and the House proceed to the vote.
The question before the House is shall the ruling of the Chair be sustained.
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Yeas
Bindle, Clarke, Cox, Cullen, Eichler, Ewasko, Fielding, Goertzen, Graydon, Guillemard, Helwer, Isleifson, Johnson, Johnston, Lagassé, Martin, Mayer, Michaleski, Micklefield, Morley‑Lecomte, Nesbitt, Pedersen, Piwniuk, Reyes, Schuler, Smith (Southdale), Smook, Squires, Stefanson, Teitsma, Wharton, Wishart, Wowchuk, Yakimoski.
Nays
Allum, Fontaine, Gerrard, Lamont, Lamoureux, Lindsey, Maloway, Marcelino (Logan), Marcelino (Tyndall Park), Smith (Point Douglas), Swan, Wiebe.
Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Yeas 34, Nays 12.
Madam Speaker: The ruling of the Chair has been sustained.
* * *
Madam Speaker: Grievances?
Hon. Jon Gerrard (Second Opposition House Leader): Madam Speaker–
Madam Speaker: On a grievance?
Mr. Gerrard: No, on a matter of privilege.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard), on a matter of privilege.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (Second Opposition House Leader): The matter that I am raising now relates to some remarks that were made in this Chamber yesterday. And this happened to be in question period and I will quote from this.
The Premier (Mr. Pallister) was referring to the Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party. And he said, 'whin' reference to the member's–referring to the MLA for St. Boniface–in reference to the member's career, he said: if there was one.
Now, I am raising this at the earliest possible opportunity because this was said in the House yesterday and this is the first time that I have had the time to raise this.
The–there are conditions, as the Speaker well knows, that refer to matters that individual MLAs raise in this House, or spread–talk in this House. It is a problem, in this case, of the Premier spreading misinformation, and he's spreading misinformation related to the MLA for St. Boniface.
And, in order for this to be a matter of privilege, as has been ruled by Speaker Rocan and by yourself on a number of occasions, when we are dealing with misinformation being spread in this House, then there has to be evidence that the information is wrong; that, in fact, it is misinformation.
And there also has to be evidence that the MLA who says the words is very deliberately doing this in a way that would impede another member's ability to do his job. Okay, it has to be deliberate, right? That is very clear from the rulings. It cannot be just something that you can't prove is wrong, and it can't be something that there isn't adequate evidence that it is deliberate.
So, first of all, the MLA for St. Boniface, the Leader of the Second Opposition (Mr. Lamont) in the Chamber, has had a number of jobs and careers.
He taught at the University of Manitoba, and I think that the Premier should not be implying that anybody who teaches at the University of Manitoba doesn't have a career, right? He taught at the University of Winnipeg, and the Premier should not be implying that anybody who teaches at the University of Winnipeg does not have a career.
The MLA for St. Boniface and the Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party worked in communications at the Department of Veteran Affairs, and I'm sure the Premier would not to–want to impugn motives–adverse motives–to people who are working in the Department of Veteran Affairs and trying to help improve the life and the well-being of veterans in Manitoba.
The member for St. Boniface and the Leader of the Second Opposition (Mr. Lamont) has also worked in Western Economic Diversification, again doing communications. The Premier clearly knows the value of communications. He uses it a lot and hires a lot of people. But, at the same time, you know, Western Economic Diversification has done a lot of good things for Manitoba.
Indeed, I am sure, if we look very carefully, you would find things that the MLA for Fort Whyte has been involved with or partnered with over the years. And some of those, indeed, have brought benefits to the city of Portage la Prairie, where the MLA for Fort Whyte has lived for many of his years. I think of an expansion of the McCain plant, but there are many and other examples that could be found, I believe.
The MLA for St. Boniface and the Leader of the Second Opposition has also worked on a variety of political campaigns: some as volunteered; some, I believe, as paid staff. He has, for example, worked on the campaign of Robert-Falcon Ouellette when he was running for mayor. And Robert-Falcon Ouellette, as people will remember, came from nowhere and did not win, but he did quite well.
* (16:20)
And the fact is that surely the Premier should not denigrate people who have volunteered or worked on political campaigns. He has relied on such people for–on many occasions, and it would be important not to call work, such as that, as not a career in politics. And sometimes the people who work behind the scenes are pretty darned important to all of us, as I think we have to acknowledge.
So, Madam Speaker, I believe my case is made very clearly and very strongly that to say, as the Premier did, that if he has a career is clearly a misleading statement. He has had a number of careers, and his most recent career is as the MLA for St. Boniface and the Leader of the Liberal Party and the Leader of the Second Opposition (Mr. Lamont). And this also is a career and the Premier (Mr. Pallister) should not be downgrading this by saying it is not a career.
So I think my case is made very clearly, and there can't be any argument with the fact that the Premier, when he was talking yesterday, was spreading misinformation, okay?
Now, the question that remains–and it's a very important one–as to whether the Premier was spreading such misinformation deliberately, right? Now, the first piece of this has to do with whether the Premier actually knew the facts of the MLA for St. Boniface's career. Well, it is possible that he didn't know all of the facts, but I can tell you, as a sportsman and somebody who has worked in sports as well as in politics, it's very important to know who is your opponent and to make sure you're up on the facts, the accurate facts of your opponent. In this case, we are talking about the MLA for St. Boniface.
So it is highly unlikely, Madam Speaker, that the Premier did not know that he was spreading misinformation. He certainly knew that the MLA for St. Boniface is an elected MLA, an elected leader of a political party in Manitoba and that that is a career, and that he has had other careers and these other careers have been mentioned on a number of occasions in the Legislature. And so we must presume that he knew that he was spreading misinformation.
The last question is whether he did this deliberately, right? Deliberately, in order to make it difficult for the MLA for St. Boniface to do his job as the MLA in this Chamber. And, clearly, from all we know about the Premier, from all we know about the situation, I would say, Madam Speaker, that it is almost certain that it was done deliberately to undermine the position and the credibility of the MLA for St. Boniface.
And I believe that with–that step by step, through this matter of privilege, we have adequately made the case that there is a matter of privilege. It was raised at the first possible time, it was a matter of an MLA deliberately spreading misinformation, trying to undermine and make it more difficult for an MLA–the MLA for St. Boniface–to do his job, and that, Madam Speaker, is my case and I rest my case.
Thank you.
Madam Speaker: Before recognizing any other members to speak, I would remind the House that remarks at this time by honourable members are limited to strictly relevant comments about whether the alleged matter of privilege has been raised at the earliest opportunity and whether a prima facie case has been established.
Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): I'm disappointed to have to be speaking to this matter of privilege. I was hoping to be able to call Estimates this afternoon, but, obviously, that's not going to be possible with now the constant delays of the opposition, and we won't be able to get to the Estimates process because of another day of delays by the NDP and the Liberals. But that's their decision, and, Madam Speaker, they certainly–if they don't have any questions on the budget, I wouldn't expect them to want to have Estimates then, I suppose.
On this particular–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Goertzen: –matter of privilege, Madam Speaker, certainly, it doesn't meet the test of timeliness. This was an issue that arose in question period yesterday. The member opposite heard it, chose not to raise it after question period when he would have had the opportunity.
No doubt he wasn't sure himself about the career of the current leader, so he probably had to spend the evening trying to cobble together some sort of a resumé for the member for St. Boniface (Mr. Lamont), the current leader, and then provide the resumé here in the House today, which isn't a bad idea. I would encourage all the Liberals to get their resumés together; in fact, the New Democratic members as well, too, over the time that they have. They may want to be preparing their resumés, getting references, Madam Speaker, trying to–try to buffer all the different experiences that they may have had in life, not for any particular reason, but it's always good to be prepared for a variety of different things, and, certainly, as I look across the way, I can think of many.
Now, of course, the member for Minto's (Mr. Swan) already done that and made that decision and got his resumé well done, and I know that he'll succeed–[interjection]–well, he's going to be here for a year and a half; he might be sitting in the loge for a good part of that, but I do wish him well. I know he does actually have a distinguished resumé and he'll do well.
I worry more about some of the people that may be sitting around him, but, nonetheless, Madam Speaker, I would–this clearly isn't a matter of privilege, Madam Speaker, as it's almost impossible to find a deliberate misleading of the House, as you and others have ruled many times before, short of an admission.
But I do encourage the member opposite and thank him for encouraging all the opposition members to get their resumés in order. They're going to need them pretty soon, Madam Speaker.
Thank you.
Madam Speaker: On the matter of privilege raised by the honourable member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard), I would like to inform the House that Joseph Maingot advises, on page 254 of the Second Edition of Parliamentary Privilege in Canada, that language that impugns the integrity of members would be unparliamentary and a breach of order, contrary to the standing orders but not a breach of privilege.
Therefore, the honourable member does not have a prima facie case of privilege, and I would also indicate that since there was no motion moved, that is another reason why this issue is out of order as a prima facie case of privilege.
Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, with due respect, I challenge your ruling.
Madam Speaker: The ruling of the Chair has been challenged.
The question before the House is shall the ruling of the Chair be sustained.
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Madam Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Madam Speaker: All those in favour, please say yea.
Some Honourable Members: Yea.
Madam Speaker: All those opposed, please say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Madam Speaker: In my opinion, the Yeas have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, a recorded vote, please.
Madam Speaker: A recorded vote having been called, call in the members.
Order, please.
The question before the House is shall the ruling of the Chair be sustained.
* (17:00)
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Yeas
Bindle, Clarke, Cox, Cullen, Eichler, Ewasko, Fielding, Goertzen, Guillemard, Helwer, Isleifson, Johnson, Johnston, Lagassé, Martin, Mayer, Michaleski, Micklefield, Morley‑Lecomte, Nesbitt, Pedersen, Reyes, Schuler, Smith (Southdale), Smook, Squires, Stefanson, Teitsma, Wharton, Wishart, Wowchuk, Yakimoski.
Nays
Allum, Fontaine, Gerrard, Lindsey, Maloway, Marcelino (Logan), Marcelino (Tyndall Park), Swan, Wiebe.
Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Yeas 32, Nays 9.
Madam Speaker: The ruling of the Chair has been sustained.
* * *
Madam Speaker: The hour being past 5 p.m., this House is adjourned and stands adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow.
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
CONTENTS
Bill 234–The Mining Tax Amendment Act
Pre-Election Review of Government
Save the Concordia ER Citizens Group
2019 Canada Winter Games–Team Manitoba
A. Smith
Concordia and Seven Oaks Hospitals
B. Smith
Out-of-Country Health-Care Case
B. Smith
Early Learning and Child-Care Programs
F. Marcelino
T. Marcelino